11 Nov OUR FAVORITE WINES FOR THANKSGIVING DINNER

CHOOSE THE PERFECT WINE FOR YOUR THANKSGIVING CELEBRATION

Thanksgiving is the time of year when families come together to show thanks for their blessings, spend time with one another, enjoy outstanding food, and maybe catch the game on the couch after the feast has concluded. Whatever your particular Thanksgiving traditions, spending time with family and friends is the centerpiece of the occasion, and for many of us, we love to kick back at dinner, even Thanksgiving dinner, with a nice glass of wine.

As Thanksgiving creeps ever closer, finding great wines to match to our Thanksgiving recipes becomes another item to check off the to-do list. To help you narrow that list even further, we’ve picked some wines from our favorite Long Island wineries to help complement your Thanksgiving feast.

BEST WHITE WINES

BEDELL CELLARS- VIOGNIER

Bedell Cellars is one of the premier wineries in the North Fork/Long Island area, and they produce a delicious, full-bodied Viognier that will lend itself nicely to the hearty selections on your Thanksgiving plate, pairing particularly well with meats and cheeses. The Viognier, with its more obscure name, is also a great way to throw a little twist on the traditional dinner wine pairings and provide your guest with something both interesting and delicious this Thanksgiving.

MACARI VINEYARDS- SAUVIGNON BLANC

Macari Vineyards is well known for their white wines, particularly their Sauvignon Blanc, which is another standout varietal to bring to the Thanksgiving table this year. With its medium acidity, hearty dryness and herbaceous tinges tends to pair very well with herbs like basil, rosemary and parsley, making it the perfect complement to Thanksgiving turkey and dressing, as well as green vegetable selections like turnip greens or green beans.

This light, crisp white wine brings a lot hints of melon or peach, making it suitable for nearly all palates. This particular Pinot Grigio is perfect for pairing with chicken or fish at your Thanksgiving table, as the crisp lightness of the varietal adds to the heartiness of the meat and fish. The Pinot also tends to pair well with savory casseroles, breaded dishes or Thanksgiving dressing.

BEST RED WINES

Pindar Vineyards in Peconic, New York has an outstanding Syrah on their wine list that features notes of juicy red berry, toasty oak, vanilla and even bacon. The Syrah is perfect for pairing with heavily-herbed dressings and turkey, as well as any casseroles on your plate. Syrah is a dynamic varietal that will pair nicely with the wash of flavors on the traditional Thanksgiving plate; vegetable selections like green beans or mashed potatoes will find an able match in Pindar’s delicious 2010 Syrah.

PUGLIESE VINEYARDS- MERLOT RESERVE

Pugliese Vineyards in Cutchogue produces an outstanding Merlot Reserve with the heavy spiciness, richness and powerful acidity of only the best Merlots. The Pugliese Vineyards Merlot features deeply savory notes that tend to pair well with similarly savory foods; any tomato-based dishes, dressings spiced meats on your table will go nicely with the Merlot’s range of flavors. Roasted vegetables or casseroles can also be successfully paired with this delicious varietal.

A Rose will pair nicely with bold flavors like olives, garlic or parmesan, meaning a dressing recipe with garlic or sage will go nicely beside the dynamic flavors of Pellegrini’s outstanding Rose. Though traditionally considered a hot weather wine, a Rose can provide your Thanksgiving guests with crisp, refreshing drinkability, a nice contrast to the general heaviness of Thanksgiving cuisine.

McCall Wines produces one of the purest, most lush tasting Pinot Noirs in the North Fork area, with bold notes of fruit and oak and hints of smoky depth. The Pinot Noir pairs nicely with Thanksgiving turkey, as well as casseroles and spiced vegetables. You might even find it goes nicely with pumpkin pie or Thanksgiving dessert, as the hints of fruit in the finish are both refreshing and sweet.

As Thanksgiving approaches, finding ways to keep you celebrations fun and your feast delicious is easy with the right wines. Be adventurous with less traditional pairings like Rose and Viognier, or keep your spread traditional with Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc. Whatever you decide, don’t forget to enjoy one of the best times of year with family and friends.